Gail Seifert Receives Legacy Award

Mrs. Ophelia Gaines, Executive Director, Concerted Services, Inc. is proud to announce that Mrs. Gail Seifert has been honored with the 2017 Legacy Award by the Georgia Head Start Association. This award recognizes a person who has contributed to the Head Start community at the local, state, regional, or national level to enhance services for children and families. Mrs. Seifert was selected from all of the nominations received from programs throughout the state, and this is the second year in a row that a CSI nominee has won the award.

Gail Seifert is a true champion of all children, but Head Start children seem to have captured a special place in her heart. As the Director of the Ware Children’s Initiative, Ware County’s Family Connection program, Gail collaborates with all agencies which serve children and families in the community in order to nurture and grow our most valuable resource, our children.

Gail has served Concerted Services (CSI) Head Start in a variety of capacities. She is a former Policy Council member and current Health Services Advisory Council member. Through her collaboration with the Satilla Health Foundation and the Southeast Health District, Gail was instrumental in establishing community gardens and nutritional training at a number of our centers.

Most recently, Gail secured an Early Learning Challenge grant from Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and selected CSI as her partner. The grant allowed our program to initiate our STAR Family program. The goal of this 10-week program was to build nurturing parenting skills to influence the positive and healthy development of children. The program also had a financial component, with families discussing budgeting and being eligible for a $250 stipend to jump-start their savings efforts at the completion of the program. The program was extremely successful, with 100% of parents completing it. An unexpected consequence is the strong, healthy peer relationships that have formed among participants.

Gail Seifert, in her 10+ years of involvement with CSI Head Start, has had a tremendous impact on our children, families, and staff, and therefore, makes an exemplary recipient of the 2017 Legacy Award. Gail and her husband, Jim, reside in Blackshear. They are the proud parents of two sons and have four wonderful grandchildren as well as two special daughters-in-law.

Our Mission

Concerted Services, Inc.’s mission is to transform families and communities by providing opportunities and services that promote economic and social independence.

Our Vision

Concerted Services, Inc. is a premier Community Action Agency committed to investing in lives and transforming communities, one person at a time.

Our Values

We are INSPIRED

Integrity We do the right thing.Neighborly We make our communities better.Service We are people driven.Passion We are committed to our purpose.Innovative We welcome change.Respect We treat others as we wish to be treated.Excellence We deliver meaningful results.Diversity We embrace the unique contributions of all.